12 Best Tech Gifts That They’d Actually Want (2025)

small gadgets and Handy tech tools work great as stocking stuffers or Secret Santa gifts for friends, family or coworkers. In fact, we’ve collected them all in our comprehensive list of the 40 best tech gifts under $100 — giving you plenty to analyze.

But this list is not like that. These are the big tech products of 2025 that really have us excited. They’re a lot more expensive than what you’d buy for an acquaintance, but if you’re looking for a big reaction from your kids, spouse, or significant other on Christmas morning, one of these should do the trick.

For any Nintendo fan

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Easy prediction: The Switch 2 (9/10, Wired Recommends) is going to be the best-selling piece of tech this holiday season. This system just went into effect in June, and many people will likely be saving for holiday shopping. This is no easy task for families, especially if they don’t already have an original Switch. You probably already know what makes the Switch 2 special, its vastly improved (and larger) screen compared to the original.

We’re not expecting any huge price cuts, but multiple bundles help save some cash, especially if you’re already planning on purchasing a particular game. For example, with bundle super mario kart world That saves you $30, which helps avoid the expensive prices of games. If your giftee already has a Switch 2, I recommend checking out our Nintendo Switch 2 accessories, all of which have been tested by us, which could also be a great gift for Nintendo fans.

For the coffee snob

Courtesy of xbloom

exbloom

studio coffee machine

Perhaps more than any other coffee machine, the Axbloom Studio Coffee Machine (7/10, Wired recommends) is built for tinkerers. It’s an ambitious piece of technology that aims to make the perfect cup of coffee in the comfort of your own home, all in one appliance. Coffee enthusiasts may scoff at the idea of ​​automating a process that often requires so much serious variation and precision, but according to our resident coffee expert and food tech reviewer, Matthew Korfage, the AxBloom Studio accomplishes just that.

Making coffee on the Xbloom Studio doesn’t just simplify the pour-over process, enabling your own level of understanding through the comprehensive app. Every imaginable element of the process can be streamlined. The level of detail is definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s also a sleek-looking appliance to keep on your kitchen counter, though there are certainly cheaper coffee machines that still emphasize tech and style. But for the right person, the Xbloom Studio Coffee Machine is a coffee lover’s dream come true.

For WFH spouse

You know what they say: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Logitech MX Master 3S was long the most popular productivity mouse you could buy, so there were big expectations for its successor. Thankfully, the MX Master 4 (9/10, Wired recommends) delivers without rocking the boat too much. The thumb rest now has haptic support, and you can press here to activate the virtual action ring. You can customize the ring through the Logi Options+ app and have it launch an app, website, insert symbols, or even text – the options are almost endless.

It may not be worth upgrading from the MX Master 3 or 3S, especially since the polling rate hasn’t changed, but there’s no doubt that the MX Master 4 has taken the reins as the wireless mouse for serious office workers. If there’s someone in your life who you know would appreciate a mouse that not only offers great ergonomic support but also has an extremely high-quality in-hand feel, then look no further.

For more ideas on potential home office products that could serve as gifts, check out our comprehensive guide to all the best work from home gear.

For big screen lovers

When it comes to tablets, there’s still nothing like the iPad. The latest model didn’t change much, just adding an A16 chip to the mix. Otherwise it’s the same old iPad we all know and love. The big upgrade is in the software. With iPadOS 26, this basic iPad (8/10, WIRED recommended) is about to feel like a capable laptop replacement. With full window support, you’ll be able to manage windows and apps the same way you do on a MacBook, resizing and multitasking to your heart’s content. The software also has several other improvements, including a more Mac-like cursor and the introduction of a Preview app. This is a revolutionary change to the entire iPad lineup, but because of its price it feels really transformational for this iPad.

There’s a reason we call it the best iPad for most people. I would never have said this about the base iPad in the past, but if you or someone you know can make it serve as your primary computing device, it might be the most affordable way to get some work or study done.

for sports lovers

Whatever you think about Meta’s AI and privacy policies (which are garbage), it’s hard to argue that the best smart glasses are the ones people already wear. The Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses are basically the extremely popular Oakley Spera, with workout headphones, a 5-mic array, and a 12-MP action camera with image stabilization built into the bridge of the nose. You can integrate the goggles with your Garmin and use the watch to trigger an autocapture of your funniest moments, or you can just say, “Hey Meta, take a video” as you hike down the waterfall. The headphones sound great – they’re the only open-ear headphones I don’t have to jack up all the way to hear at 20 mph on the bike – and the lenses are Oakleys, meaning they have cutting-edge color technology and are interchangeable depending on the season.

If you have a tech bestie or wife in your life who loves biking, running, skiing, or snowboarding, you’re in luck. I can’t wait to take the Vanguards snowboarding this year and finally have my friend video me that sweet, sweet (little) jump without dropping my phone in the snow.-Adrienne So

music for stan

As with all the earbuds we’ve reviewed, you might think our audio experts are above something as common as AirPods. But Apple really nailed it this year with the AirPods Pro 3 (9/10, WIRED Recommends). It’s been almost three years since Apple updated its noise-canceling earbuds, and the latest comes with a new ear tip design, supports real-time translation, offers significantly better noise cancellation and longer battery life. According to our testers, they last up to eight hours with noise cancellation on, meaning they can last more than a whole day. All of this makes this pair the best AirPods yet.

an ultralight laptop

Photograph: Christopher Null

In the past, selling ultralight laptops usually meant compromises and compromises. But not with the Asus Zenbook A14 (8/10, WIRED recommended). Yes, it’s incredibly light, to the point that you might forget it’s in your backpack. Not only does the ZenBook A14 weigh just 2.16 pounds, but it also doesn’t skimp on the things that really matter, like performance, battery life, display quality, or even ports. After all, what’s the point of a super-light laptop if it fails to meet your needs?

The Qualcomm Snapdragon X or (Just know that this is an ARM processor, which means you may encounter some compatibility issues with some apps and games.) No matter which chip configuration you choose, you’ll get the same great OLED screen and long-lasting battery life. Unlike many laptops that focus on portability, it also comes with legacy ports like HDMI and USB-A.

For on-the-go gamers

Photograph: Matt Kamen

Asus

ROG Xbox Companion and ROG Xbox Companion

The world of gaming handhelds has really expanded over the past few years, largely due to the success of both the Switch and the Steam Deck. But there has also been a plethora of Windows-based gaming handhelds capitalizing on this trend, allowing you to play games anywhere with your Steam library. The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X (7/10, Wired Recommends) represent the pinnacle of how far this hardware has come. And yes, a big part of what helped make this product so famous was the official Xbox branding, even though it feels like a true sequel to the original Asus ROG Ally. Will that Xbox name help bring the Windows handheld into the mainstream? I’m not sure, but that seems to be the hope behind the partnership.

Either way, you get solid performance via the AMD Ryzen Z2 A (or great performance with the Z2 Extreme on the Ally X) and surprisingly good battery life. No, the screens aren’t super high-resolution or even OLED, but the base ROG Xbox Alley is quite affordable at $600, which is even less than the Lenovo Legion Go S.

for busy bees

It’s been a long time since Apple made the Apple Watch worth upgrading. But that’s exactly what the Apple Watch Series 11 (9/10, Wired Recommended) achieves. So, what is that exciting new feature that makes this Apple Watch finally worth it? It’s not the AI ​​workout buddy, but the long battery life. Our smartwatch reviewer and fitness editor extraordinaire, Adrienne So, says battery life has taken a big step forward.

That alone makes it worthwhile, but she also notes that the health updates in the Apple Watch Series 11 are now medically validated, and satellite messaging on the Watch Ultra 3 is especially useful for intrepid outdoor adventurers. So, whether you choose the standard edition, the cheaper Apple Watch SE, or the upgraded Apple Watch Series 11 Ultra, it’s finally time to upgrade that old Apple Watch you’ve been hanging onto. Read our best Apple Watches guide for more details.

for iPhone fans

Is your spouse or parent still stuck with that 6-year-old iPhone, cracks and all? Honestly, this is smart. No one needs to upgrade their smartphone every year. But if your loved one’s device is clearly showing its age, and more importantly, it’s no longer receiving important software updates, it’s time to consider a new phone. For iPhone owners, the natural upgrade is the iPhone 17 (9/10, WIRED recommends). The best thing about it is that Apple finally brought its ProMotion technology from the Pro models to this phone, which means the screen refreshes twice as fast as the iPhone 16 – it’ll look smoother and sharper.

Battery life has improved, there’s an upgraded front camera system that lets you take selfies in any orientation without having to rotate the phone in your hand, and the dual-camera system still produces great results. It may not be the best iPhone for gamers – the iPhone 17 Pro’s improved thermal management and A19 Pro chip really shine – but the iPhone 17 remains the best model to buy for most people. It also comes in really fun colors.